World Cup: Germany and Argentina face date with destiny

By James Masters, CNN

updated 11:22 AM EDT, Sun July 13, 2014

Italy's contest with Brazil at the 1982 World Cup is considered one of the greatest games in the tournament's history. A Paolo Rossi hat-trick ensured Italy won the second round match 3-2 and deprived Brazil a place in the semifinals. Instead, Italy went on to defeat West Germany 3-1 in the final with Rossi on target once again.

West Germany's 3-2 victory over Hungary in the 1954 World Cup final is known as 'the Miracle of Bern.' The Hungarian side, which had gone 32 games unbeaten and had won gold at the Olympics two years earlier, led 2-0 after just eight minutes. But the Germans fought back, scoring twice before the interval to level the game. It was then left to Helmut Rahn to net the winner late on.

Gianni Rivera scored the winning goal in Italy's 4-3 victory over West Germany at the 1970 World Cup. The semifinal clash went down as an all-time classic with the score poised at 1-1 after 90 minutes. The Italians eventually prevailed but were beaten in the final by Brazil. British journalist David Coleman said of the contest: "As long as people play football, they will talk about this match."

West German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher became a World Cup villain during the 1982 tournament following the semifinal victory over France. Schumacher's foul on Patrick Battiston left the Frenchman with two lost teeth, three cracked ribs, damaged vertebrae, and he was unconscious for almost half an hour.

It was supposed to be the year when Johan Cruyff's Dutch side swept to victory and claim the 1974 World Cup with its brand of 'Total Football.' The Dutch side had powered its way to the final and took the lead in the second minute without opponent, West Germany, even touching the ball. But despite going ahead through Johan Neesken's penalty, the Dutch failed to hold on and lost 2-1.

With the World Cup being held in Brazil, the host nation was expected to win the trophy for the very first time in its history. Needing just a point from the final group game against Uruguay, Brazil took the lead through Friaca. The party was underway but then disaster struck, the visitors equalized through Juan Alberto Schiaffino before Alcides Ghiggia netted the winner.

The debate still rages to this day over whether Geoff Hurst's effort crossed the goalline during the 1966 World Cup final against West Germany. With the game poised at 2-2, Hurst's effort was adjudged to have gone in by a Russian assistant referee, much to the frustration over the visiting side. Hurst completed his hat-trick as England won 4-2 to seal its first ever World Cup triumph.

In 1994, Romania proved one of the surprise teams of the tournament as it reached the quarterfinals in the U.S. Its 3-2 victory over former champion Argentina proved one of the highlights. Led by its supremely talented captain, Gheorge Hagi, Romania topped its group before dumping Argentina out of the competition. Only a penalty shootout defeat by Sweden scuppered a bid for a place in the last four.

Having already shocked Italy, North Korea roared into a 3-0 lead inside 24 minutes during the 1966 World Cup match against Portugal. Nobody had anticipated that North Korea would provide such a threat and Portugal appeared beaten. But, Eusebio, one of the finest forwards to have ever played, soon turned on the style by scoring four goals for Portugal. Jose Augusto added a fifth and Portugal survived a potential embarrassment.

David Beckham's life was turned upside down at the 1998 World Cup when he was sent off during England's last-16 tie with Argentina. The midfielder was red carded after lashing out at Diego Simeone and was largely blamed for his side's failure to progress. The match finished 2-2 after extra-time but England was beaten on penalties.